By winning the Champions League at the helm of Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique (Gijón, 56 years old) has once again consolidated his position as one of the most successful coaches in European soccer. After a season marked by the demands and pressures of competing at the highest level, the Asturian coach is already looking forward to his own special summer getaway: Formentera.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, Luis Enrique finds refuge on the Pitiusa island, with which he has maintained close ties for years and where he often spends long stays with his wife, Elena Cullell, and his children. True to his style, the coach takes advantage of the warmer months to relax in Spain, dividing his time between his native Asturias and this corner of the Mediterranean, which has become one of his favorite places.
The architect’s passion for the smallest of the Pitiusa Islands led him to buy a spectacular house in 2022 that combines modern design with local tradition. Designed in the spirit of warm minimalism, the house respects the island’s traditional architecture through the use of original stone, lime mortar, fine wood, and natural fibers. Outside, the highlights include chill-out areas, terraces with handmade furniture, a large Mediterranean porch surrounded by bougainvillea, and a pool integrated into the landscape, all designed for you to enjoy the tranquility and the natural surroundings.
The island chosen for a getaway
Beyond its spectacular accommodations, Formentera’s main attraction lies in everything this small island—with just over 11,000 inhabitants—has to offer: an exclusive, tranquil, and high-quality experience. To start, its beaches are undoubtedly its main attraction. Sand beaches like Ses Illetes, Migjorn, Levante, Cala Saona, and Es Caló captivate visitors with their crystal-clear waters, turquoise hues, and white sand. Much of this beauty is due to posidonia oceanica, a sea plant that filters and oxygenates the water, creating a landscape reminiscent of the Caribbean and turning the island into a paradise for swimming, diving, and water sports.
The Formentera experience can also be savored through your palate. The local cuisine combines seafaring traditions with locally sourced ingredients in iconic restaurants like Can Forn in Sant Ferran, where traditional dishes such as “ensalada payesa,” “frit de polp,” and “calamars a la bruta” are the highlights. For those who want to dine by the sea, Sa Platgeta is a top choice, ideal for enjoying a delicious paella, fideuà, or classic Mediterranean tapas while taking in the island’s natural paradise.
Additionally, there are numerous activities that complete the island experience: watch the sunrise from the La Mola lighthouse, explore the famous craft market in the village itself, discover the Sant Ferran art market, stroll through Sant Francesc—considered the cultural heart of Formentera and dominated by its historic 18th-century fortified church—or enjoy the center of Es Pujols.
A combination of idyllic beaches, authentic cuisine, heritage, nature, and tranquility explains why Luis Enrique continues to choose Formentera year after year to relax, celebrate successes, recharge his batteries, and get away from the spotlight after the demands of the soccer season.
